Chapter 3 Shadows of Deception

Shadows of Deception

Emma looked at the whirling steam rising from her coffee as she sat in the poorly lit cafe. The last few weeks had left her worn out but determined. Victor Lang remained a menace even while he was in prison because of his network of operatives and sympathizers. She kept having the impression that someone was keeping an eye on her, waiting to pounce.

Julian sipped his own coffee across the table, concentration creased on his brow. "How deep this goes," he said, his voice tinted with resentment. Lang had claws in everything.

Emma nodded, racing thoughts through her head. One step ahead is what we must do. His friends would still take revenge even after Lang is arrested.

Julian let out a big groan. "I am aware. Every one of them has to be exposed.

Emma got a message from Laura Mitchell on her phone just then. Need to get together. Very urgent.

With a swift finish to their coffee, they headed for the police station. Laura gave them a glum welcome. "Something has changed. Bail for Isabella Harris has been paid.

Heart sinking, Emma said. With what? That is not feasible, how?

Laura delivered Emma the court order in copy. Her attorney persuaded the judge she was not a flight risk by arguing a lack of hard proof. Emma is out.

Inside Emma welled up rage and frustration. Isabella could carry on with her schemes while Emma and Julian were still battling to have their names cleared. Determined, Emma continued, "We have to find something that ties her to the conspiracy." A way must exist.

Nodding went Laura. We're still plugging away at it. But you two must exercise caution in the meanwhile. Isabella will not think twice about after you once more.

Emma cast a worried look at Julian. She cannot win, Julian. Continue we must.

Julian gave her a firm grip, resolve in his gaze. Ours will. I refuse to permit her to ruin us.

Emma was racing through ideas of what Isabella may do next as they left the station. They required solid proof, something that would permanently reveal her. Where, though, might they discover it?

Days stretched into weeks as Emma and Julian poured themselves into their research. They examined emails, trawled through bank documents, and spoke with possible witnesses. Though Isabella was elusive, every lead led them closer to the truth.

Emma got a call from her attorney Lisa Reynolds one day when Julian was meeting with a possible informant. I have to see you, Emma. It needs done now.

A beat went out of Emma's heart. Mind racing with concern, she went to Lisa's office. Gravely greeting her was Lisa.

What is wrong, Lisa? Emma inquired, a tight voice.

Give her a folder, Lisa. "I've been looking over your financial paperwork, Emma. You have to look at this.

Emma took the folder out with shaky hands. Within were transaction logs and bank statements that revealed Isabella Harris had been making payments to a number of offshore accounts.

Lisa whispered, her voice low, "This is it." Isabella was a part of the embezzlement plot, this shows. This will enable us to reopen the case against her.

Relief shot through Emma. To Lisa, thank you. Our lives have been saved by you.

Lisa gave her consent. Yet we must move quickly. Isabella is not going to stop at hiding.

Emma made little time wasters. Laura Mitchell and she made plans to meet right away at the police station. When they together showed the district attorney the fresh evidence, he or she decided to reopen Isabella Harris's case.

Emma felt gratified as they departed the station. Isabella was running out of time to be free; they were at last making headway. Emma, though, had a chill go down her spine as they strolled down the street. She sensed somebody was trailing them.

She turned to watch a shadowy figure duck down a side street. Were you there when that happened? Emma, hardly raising her voice beyond a whisper, asked Julian.

Julian looked at him and scowled. I passed by nobody.

Heart thumping, Emma shook her head. "We were undoubtedly being followed by someone. We have to exercise caution.

Julian slung a consoling arm over her. Let us get home. That will be worked out.

Emma was uncomfortable that evening as she laid in bed. Her thoughts whirling with possibilities of what Isabella may do next, she tossed and turned. Any scenario needed to be planned for.

Emma got an enigmatic email the next morning from an unidentified source. Get together with me at midnight. Seated alone.

Emma read the message and her heart sped. Though she knew she had to discover who was behind it, it might be a trap. All she said in response was, "Where?"

Quickly following was the response, "The abandoned warehouse on East End Avenue."

Emma thought, then decided. Whatever the danger, she could not afford to pass up a possible lead. Telling Julian where she was going and to be careful, she texted him.

Emma got to the empty warehouse after midnight. Tension was palpable as she went gingerly inside. Calling out, "Hello?" her voice reverberated through the shadows.

From the shadows sprang a black, hooded person. I have information you need, Emma Parker, a deep voice stated.

Emma stepped up to the man, her heart pounding. Say who you are. How come you know?

She was given an envelope by the apparition. Everything you need to expose Isabella Harris and her cronies. Spend it sensibly.

Emma was left with the envelope as the stranger vanished into the night. When she opened it, she discovered recordings, photos, and documents all describing Isabella's ties to well-known people and her role in the plot.

Fear swept over Emma as she looked over the proof. She never could have predicted the depth of the scheme or Isabella's reach.

Hurrying back to her flat, Emma gave Laura and Julian a ring. Emma gave Laura the fresh proof when they met in her office. Laura stated in a determined voice, "This changes everything." The whole network can be brought down with this.

Julian gave a serious nod. The pace has to be quick. Isabella is going to move on without us waiting.

The following few days they worked on developing a plan, obtaining more proof, and preparing their case. Knowing Isabella would respond with all she had, the stakes were higher than ever.

Emma got a call one day as she was heading out of Laura's office from an unidentified number. Answering warily, she said.

"I warned you to watch your back," a well-known gravelly voice stated. "Emma Parker."

Emma was a frigid person. "This who?"

It makes no difference, the voice said. Though you are unaware of your opponents, you believe you have prevailed. The actual players are still tugging strings in the shadows.

Emma was not allowed to answer before the call abruptly ended. Her thoughts whirring with anxiety and doubt, she stood there immobile. The enigmatic caller was who, and what did they want with her?

A few moments later Julian discovered her, worry written all over his face. How are you, Emma?

Emma's voice quivering, she handed him her phone. The individual that called me before was the same one. Our investigation is known to them.

Julian fixed his jaw. "We need to exercise caution. The friends of Isabella are still out there and will not think twice about pursuing us.

In silence, they went back to Emma's flat, each engrossed in their own thoughts. All they had labored for was threatened to be destroyed by the shadow of peril.

Emma had the uneasy sensation that someone was watching her as she lay in bed that evening. Her thoughts whirling with questions and worries, she gazed up at the ceiling. Ever really safe?

It was quiet until glass broke. Heart thumping, Emma sat up. In a hardly audible murmur, she cried out, "Julian?"

Answered nothing. Emma took a flashlight and stepped gingerly into the living room. Underfoot, broken glass crunched as she looked about the space. There was chaos in the flat and a broken window.

Julian, Panic building in her chest, Emma cried out once again.

She heard something in the corridor. She turned, a figure standing in the shadows illuminated by the flashlight beam.

Low and threatening, "Emma," murmured a voice. "We need to talk."

Isabella Harris was there, victory and resentment shining in her eyes.

Emma faced her adversary with shaky hands. Now that Isabella had located them, she was at her mercy.